Eligibility Worker

Position Purpose
Reporting to and under the general supervision of the Financial Assistance Director, an Eligibility Worker determines the eligibility of applicants and on-going recipients of public assistance programs; communicates program requirements; supports program participants in achieving the highest degree of independence and addressing barriers to self-sufficiency; identifies needs and makes referrals to health, social services, and employment agencies and to other community resources.

Distinguishing Characteristics
An Eligibility Worker performs a majority of the work independently and exercises individual judgment in accordance with established standard procedures. The Eligibility Worker is part of a team and works closely with the Child Support division, and other Social Services staff. 

Client Eligibility/Communications                                                                 Interview applicants for initial and on-going eligibility for county, state, and federal funded programs, (SNAP, health care, childcare, cash, and burials) and gather relevant documentation Determine eligibility based on state and federal guidelines  Calculate benefit amounts Prepare client budgets Determine eligibility for health care via MAXIS, METS and MMIS Assist clients with health care applications Respond to enrollment questions Calculate medical mileage, meals, and lodging reimbursements Communicate with applicants and clients Inform clients of their duties based on program regulations Advise clients as to case status Respond to client complaints; inform applicants and client of their rights and appeal options
Record System Management       Maintain contemporary knowledge of policies and procedures of state and federal assistance programs Work closely within the Income Maintenance unit to ensure accurate execution of state and federal rules and regulations  Enter collected client information into county and state electronic systems, review/analyze for accuracy Assist in the development and implementation of Income Maintenance unit policies/procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal amended legislation  Compose forms as tools for communicating and verifying client information Create reports as needed for composite caseload statistics
Other Case Management/Communications                                                 Collaborate with external agencies to ensure clients have access to community resources Refer clients to employment and training providers and other community resources Collaborate other Public Health and Human Services units (Social Services, Child Support, Public Health and Accounting) to provide client support  Identify potential fraud cases and refer to the regional fraud investigator Prepare and present documentation for administrative hearings Calculate and set-up claims and collection of overpayments   Repayment Monitoring Compile and maintain current database using QuickBooks of addresses of persons owing money to the county for services provided and assessing fees Determine County of financial responsibility for clients who are receiving services in Houston County.   Contact individuals and enter State Revenue Recapture claims after 90 days if payment on account has not been received Complete receipt of payments received from MA program claims to the fiscal unit to enter into the MAXIS System to track and send to the State of Minnesota Work with Agency team and recommend direction to take to maximize collections on each case and when to proceed with court action

 Education and Experience

• Successful completion of the technical college Public Welfare Eligibility Worker certificate program will substitute for one year of the required clerical experience or experience working with the public

-OR-

• Two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits) 

-OR-

• Two years of clerical experience in a social services/human services agency 

-OR-

• Two years of study at an accredited two or four year college or university or similar institution, with emphasis in the behavioral sciences, business, or closely related subjects (at least 23 quarter credits or 16 semester credits) 

-OR-

• Three years of clerical experience or experience working with the public, or some combination of the two, totaling three years 

-AND- 

• Minnesota DHS Eligibility Worker Merit qualified 

Other Pre-Employment Standards/Requirements 

• Pass a criminal history/background check 

 
Preferred Criteria/Experience
N/A
 
Essential Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
Pre-Employment 

• Basic contemporary computer technology skills; ability to enter and retrieve data 
• Ability and skill to establish and maintain thorough case files in compliance with state and federal laws
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations
• Ability to organize and prioritize work and ability to process a large volume of detailed information, quickly, and accurately
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals from various cultural, occupational and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Ability to conduct an effective interview
• Ability to understand and explain relevant laws, rules and regulations
• Knowledge of human behavior and ability to handle hostile or uncooperative persons 
• Knowledge of data privacy laws
• Knowledge of federal and State income maintenance program laws, rules and regulations, benefits and methods of determining eligibility
• Knowledge of community resources such as emergency housing, food, social services and diversionary assistance programs
• Knowledge of multiple complex computer systems
• Knowledge of basic principles of foster care, child and adult protection criteria, and a general understanding of mental and physical illnesses

 
Post-Employment

• Strong working knowledge of MAXIS,  METS, MMIS, MEC2, Compass Pilot, Onbase, AVS, SOLQ 
• Working knowledge of data privacy laws
• Working knowledge of federal and State income maintenance program laws, rules and regulations

   Persons with Disabilities
The above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties. 
In compliance w/ the Americans with Disabilities Act the following represents the Physical/Environmental Demands and Work Environment

FUNCTION	N/A	<25%	25% - 49%	50% - 74%	>74%
Office Environment					X
Sitting					X
Standing, Walking		X
Simultaneous/Repetitive Hand Movements					X
Typing/Data Entry					X
Close Vision (Near Acuity)					X
Distance Vision (Far Acuity)	X
Color Vision (ability to identify and distinguish colors)	X
Accommodation (ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into sharp focus)					X
Hearing/Speech					X
Sedentary (Exert up to 10 pounds of force)					X
Light (Exert up to 20 pounds of force)		X
Lifting, carrying or pushing of objects up to twenty-five (25) pounds	X
Lifting, carrying,  or pushing of objects over fifty (50) pounds	X
Adverse movements such as overhead, bending, reaching		X

NOTICE
Status:  Non-Exempt     
Job Category:  Technical/Paraprofessional
Banding: B24
Labor Group:   AFSCME  
Reviewed: 9.1998, 7.2019, 05.2020, 01.2026

PLEASE NOTE: APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION REQUIRES TWO APPLICATIONS BE SUBMITTED

1. Submit your application to the Minnesota Merit System for Eligibility Worker no later than 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2026, by going to: https://agency.governmentjobs.com/mnmeritsystem/default.cfm and clicking on job posting:  Eligibility Worker - Houston County (951-OL-28).    

2. Submit your online application to Houston County by 4:30 p.m., Friday, August 7, 2026, by clicking the green "APPLY" button on this page.  Please attach a cover letter to your application file.  If special accommodations are needed to complete this application for employment, please contact the Houston County Personnel Dept. at 507.725.5822.